while clambering through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while clambering through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action of climbing or moving through something, often in a somewhat awkward or difficult manner. Example: "She stumbled and fell while clambering through the dense underbrush."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I would wear a conductor's cap" while clambering through cobwebs, Ms. Greene-Anderson said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Avila spent a couple of hours clambering through the old building.

The New York Times

We see him clambering through windows, rifling through underwear drawers, and plotting his kills meticulously.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Apparently so – and you should see him clambering through the trees in Ivul.

The Guardian

However, other skeletal elements indicate that she spent much of her time clambering through the branches of trees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the actors Brendan Mackey (as Mr. Simpson and Nicholas Aaronn (as Mr. Yates) recreate the climb on camera (with the help of climbing doubles), clambering through locations that range from the actual Peruvian mountain to Mount Blanc in the Alps, the genuine Mr. Simpson and Mr. Yates narrate their adventures from an unidentified cozy, warm place just off screen.

The New York Times

In 1989 it took thousands of East Germans clambering through the iron curtain from Hungary to pull down the Berlin wall, eventually.

The Economist

A frequent sight is Mr. Vidich slipping his lithe form inside of two or more frames stacked together and clambering through the space.

The New York Times - Arts

"I need someone," she said one night in the bar, after clambering through the window because the doors were bolted, "to edit the manuscript".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It opened in London on September 11th.The sight of military officers from scores of nations scuffing their dress shoes while clambering on to tanks and peering through gun sights gives the show the air of a village fair, but this is no Glastonbury with guns.

The Economist

Now it seems perfectly normal to watch Mr. Barney make drawings while clambering up a metal plank in ice skates.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while clambering through" to vividly describe movement that involves both climbing and navigating obstacles, such as "while clambering through" dense forest undergrowth or rocky terrain.

Common error

Avoid using "while clambering through" when describing simple walking or movements that do not involve actual climbing or overcoming obstacles. Use more appropriate verbs like 'walking', 'moving', or 'passing' instead.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "while clambering through" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It describes a concurrent action of climbing with difficulty while progressing through a physical space or obstacle. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing literal climbing movements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while clambering through" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe someone moving through a challenging environment, combining elements of climbing and navigating obstacles. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and common use. Predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, this phrase offers a vivid way to depict physical exertion and progress. Related phrases like "while scrambling through" and "while navigating through" offer subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the described action, avoiding misuse in contexts lacking significant physical challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while scrambling through

Substitutes 'clambering' with 'scrambling', suggesting a quicker and more hurried movement, possibly involving hands and knees.

whilst scaling through

Replaces 'clambering' with 'scaling', which implies a more deliberate and controlled ascent.

while navigating through

Replaces 'clambering' with 'navigating', emphasizing the act of finding a path through something, which could be literal or figurative.

while trekking through

Replaces 'clambering' with 'trekking,' indicating a longer, more arduous journey on foot.

while struggling through

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of the movement, rather than the specific action of climbing.

while pushing through

Implies overcoming resistance or obstacles, possibly in a crowd or dense vegetation.

as one climbed through

Changes the structure to emphasize the action of climbing in a narrative or descriptive context.

as one traversed through

Replaces 'clambering' with 'traversed' which indicates moving across an area.

during the ascent through

Emphasizes the uphill nature of the movement and uses a more formal tone.

in the process of climbing through

Adds a more explanatory and detailed description of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "while clambering through" in a sentence?

You can use "while clambering through" to describe moving with difficulty over or through something, like "The hikers persisted "while clambering through" the rocky terrain".

What's a good alternative to "while clambering through"?

Alternatives include "while scrambling through", "while navigating through", or "while making one's way through", depending on the specific context.

Is "while clambering through" formal or informal?

"While clambering through" sits in a neutral register, suitable for both narrative and descriptive contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary.

What kind of actions does "while clambering through" best describe?

It best describes actions that combine climbing with navigating obstacles, implying effort and some level of difficulty. For example, "while clambering through" a dense forest or a collapsed building.